Kickstarting Healthy Lifestyles

 Zlaya moved from Serbia (former Yugoslavia) to the States in 1992.  He started his new life in New York City, where he lived for 5 years.  He later moved to Maryland and started his own business.  Zlaya has a bachelor's degree in Physical Education, and taught in elementary and high schools for many years.  As a young athlete, he played soccer and volleyball developing discipline and determination, which he later implemented in his career. In his gym, Zlaya's philosophy is that imagination is a tool in breaking past the boredom and rigidity experienced by many people when exercising, as long as the core principles of biomechanics and physiology are respected. This unique background allows him to develop the perfect combination of old-school technique and creativity to personalize workout routines to any client's needs. His ultimate goal is to teach his clients to be confident in continuing their fitness journey.  

Born in the former Yugoslavia, Zlaya’s interest in physical fitness began at an early age as he pursued volleyball. With support from family members, Zlaya continued his interest in physical fitness throughout his youth and received the degree of Professor of Physical Education from the University of Novi Sad. Zlaya continued his career in his home country, teaching seminars at local universities, and training for the International Games. Taking a break from training, Zlaya turned to dance, resulting in a 16-year career as a professional dancer. Traveling throughout Europe and north America, Zlaya received an opportunity to teach dance and physical fitness in the United States. Accepting the challenge, he moved to the United States in 1992. After several years of teaching, Zlaya decided to pursue personal training and began his individualized training programs.